Issuu

Jay County REMC’s

SEPTEMBER 2026

From the GROUND UP

Caffeine dreams

HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

RUSTIC ROAST IS BREWING SOMETHING SPECIAL IN PENNVILLE

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ELECTRIC UTILITY ABOUT INCENTIVES

This entire neighborhood is hiding a dirty little secret.

What could be hiding beneath the surface? Your instincts are right. There is something different about that pond—a WaterFurnace geothermal system. Water circulates through underground pipes, transferring free, renewable energy between the pond and their home. It keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. All for a fraction of what you’re paying. They’re twice as efficient as traditional HVAC systems, and last 40% longer—providing year-round comfort and hot water. It’s sustainable, low-maintenance, and almost impossible to detect, making it one of the biggest secrets in HVAC. Powered by nature, and designed to last for decades. Maybe it’s time you got in on the biggest secret in HVAC with a WaterFurnace geothermal system of your own. Discover more at waterfurnace.com. No one has to know a thing. Contact Your Local WaterFurnace Dealer Delphi Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 822-2200 bluefoxhvac.com

Greensburg Wallpe Htg & Clg (812) 663-7252 wallpegeothermal.com

Farmersburg Heady Htg & Clg (812) 696-2396

Indianapolis Masters Htg & Clg by Van Valer, Inc. (317) 881-9074 mastersingeothermal.com

Flora Camflo Htg & Clg (574) 967-4200 camfloheatingandcooling.com Fort Wayne Masters Htg & Clg, Inc. (866) 824-4328 mastersingeothermal.com

Jasper Hulsman Refrigeration, Inc. (812) 634-1492 hulsmanrefrigeration.com Laotto T&T Plbg, Htg, A/C & Geothermal (260) 200-4003 tt-ph.com

Lebanon Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 859-0880 bluefoxhvac.com

Warsaw Colliers Htg & Air Conditioning (574) 203-2492 trustcolliers.com

Nappanee Crist Plbg, Htg, Electrical (574) 831-4630 cristnappanee.com

Waterloo Gibson’s Htg & Plbg, Inc. (888) 754-1668 gibsonsgeothermal.com

North Manchester Mars Refrigeration, LLC (260) 901-0057

Westfield Precision Comfort Systems, Inc. (317) 867-2665 precisioncomfort.com

North Vernon Air One Htg & Clg, Inc. (888) 346-1790 aironehvac.com Ossian Collier’s Comfort Services (260) 622-6622 collierscomfort.com

visit us at waterfurnace.com

West Lafayette Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 252-0051 bluefoxhvac.com

FROM THE EDITOR

INDIANA CONNECTION

VOLUME 76 | NUMBER 2 ISSN 0745-4651 | USPS 262-340 Published monthly by

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 300,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. The average printed and mailed cost per issue is 54 cents.

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS Dr. Richard Leeper President Jamey Marcum Vice President Melissa Menchhofer Secretary/Treasurer John Cassady CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF Britt Davis Editor Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication and Member Engagement Lauren Carman Director of Events, Engagement, and Communication Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist Amber Knight Creative Manager Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

A delicious legacy n July, Indiana Connection

What struck me most was how these

celebrated its 75th anniversary.

recipes showcase the shared history

The magazine, originally titled

and community of Indiana’s electric

Indiana Rural News, was founded

co-ops. They reflect the era in which

in 1951 to help electric cooperatives

they were published and offer a

connect with their members

glimpse into what Indiana was like at

and keep them informed.

the time. I thought about the many

As I thought about how to commemorate this milestone anniversary, I kept coming back to our readers and what they always

readers from across the state who took the time to submit their recipes, and now those recipes continue to create connections many years later.

tell me they enjoy most about the

The cookbook is now

magazine — the recipes. Whenever I

available for pre-order

meet an Indiana Connection reader,

at goiec.org/cookbook,

nine times out of 10, they tell me

or you can send a check

how much they love the recipes.

for $16 per cookbook

To celebrate our anniversary, we have created an Indiana Connection cookbook featuring more than 200 recipes spanning all eight decades of

COOPERATIVE

COOKING Celebrating 75 Years of Indiana Connection Recipes

to 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Please include your name, address, and co-op.

the magazine. This project was a labor

I’m so proud to carry on the

of love for me. Going back through

legacy of Indiana Connection,

the archives, especially our issues

and I hope this cookbook fosters

Indiana Connection does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited material.

from the 50s and 60s, was a real

even more connections with our

treat. It took longer than anticipated

readers for years to come.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

articles and photos from years past.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL

$12 a year for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs.

because I kept getting distracted by

BRITT DAVIS | editor bdavis@indianaec.org

CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

POSTAGE Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER Send change of address to: Indiana Connection 11805 Pennsylvania St., Carmel, IN 46032 Include key number. No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

We want to hear from you EMAIL: info@indianaconnection.org WEB: indianaconnection.org (fill out forms) MAIL: 11805 Pennsylvania St., Carmel, IN 46032 ON THE MENU: Submit your favorite Christmas cookie recipes, deadline Oct. 1.

If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card. GIVEAWAY: Enter to win a family pass for two adults and two children, courtesy

of Exploration Acres. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to our office address. The deadline to enter is Sept. 30.

INDIANA CONNECTION CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER

17 FEATURE

12 CITIES 03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS

14 FOOD

23 BACKYARD

12 CITIES

17 FEATURE STORY

Evansville

Southern Indiana’s local food

Energy news and information

13 EVENTS CALENDAR

from your electric cooperative

Your guide to festivals and fun

09 SAFETY

around Indiana

scene is fueling a movement

21 WABASH VALLEY NEWS 23 BACKYARD

Farmers must consider power line

14 FOOD

Essential cool-season

safety during harvest season

Cozy apple desserts perfect

veggies to plant this fall

for fall gatherings

(Not in all editions)

10 ENERGY How teens can reduce energy use to save

11 INDIANA EATS

Jay County REMC’s

SEPTEMBER 2026

Cranberries serves global comfort food with a hometown feel

From the Celebrating the GROUND UP Best of Indiana

HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

THE TOP PICKS FROM READERS’ FAVORITE SPOTS ACROSS THE HOOSIER STATE

4 SEPTEMBER 2026

ON THE COVER: Brinley Byler offers coffee, cookies, and community at her new coffee shop, Rustic Roast in Pennville, Indiana. You can read more about the shop and Bryler on page 6.

jayremc.com CONTACT US 260-726-7121 800-835-7362 EMAIL marketing@jayremc.com OFFICE HOURS 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday MAILING/STREET ADDRESS 484 S. 200 W, Portland, IN 47371 POWER OUTAGES To report a power outage, call 260-726-7121 or 800-835-7362, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kenneth Denton Chairman Rick Dues Dru Hall Josh Richards Phil Laux Angela Lutes Secretary Klint Moser Ronald Smithson STAFF Neil Draper President/CEO Becky Napert Business Manager Pete Byrum Operations Manager Jeff Myers Engineering Manager Carly Nichols Marketing and Communications Coordinator

@RemcJay

@jaycountyremc

@JayCountyREMC

EVERYDAY VALUE hen it comes to electricity, we rarely think twice about flipping on a light switch, brewing coffee in the morning, charging our phones, or adjusting the thermostat. We simply expect the power to be there. That’s how it should be because you are a member of Jay County REMC, and reliably powering your life is our mission.

your family comfortable through the seasons. Lights brighten your home after sunset. Appliances make cooking and cleaning easier. Devices stay charged so you can work, learn, communicate, and stay connected with loved ones. When you think about everything electricity makes possible, it’s one of the greatest values in the average household budget.

We know that many families across our local communities are feeling the impact of rising costs for everyday expenses. Groceries, gasoline, insurance, and other necessities cost more than they did just a few years ago. And because of that, we understand that every household is carefully considering where each dollar goes.

Even with electricity’s exceptional value, we know every dollar matters. If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy use, Jay County REMC is here to help. Whether you need efficiency advice from our energy advisors, information about co-op rebates and efficiency programs, or answers to questions about your monthly bill, our team is always available.

That’s why I think it’s important to occasionally step back and consider the value electricity provides. The average U.S. residential electric bill is about $150 a month — roughly $5 a day. I often think about what that $5 provides. It's about the cost of a specialty coffee, yet electricity powers nearly every moment of our daily lives, often without us giving it a second thought. In fact, many typical purchases cost more than a day's worth of electricity. A fast-food combo meal averages about $9, and a single movie ticket can cost around $13. For about $5 a day, your refrigerator keeps food fresh around the clock. Your heating and cooling system helps keep

Jay County REMC is proud to be more than your electric provider. Because we’re a cooperative, we’re locally owned by you, the members we serve. That means every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our community, not by outside shareholders. Thank you for trusting us to power your home and your life. We’re committed to providing everyday value for you and your family, with reliable, affordable power — so you can make the most of every energy dollar.

Neil Draper President/CEO

SEPTEMBER 2026 5

JAY COUNTY REMC CO-OP NEWS

Electricity brings

JAY COUNTY REMC CO-OP NEWS

Rustic Roast Owner Brinley Byler, right, and her sister, Dakota, are ready to make your coffee wishes come true at the shop in Pennville.

Caffeine dreams BY CARLY NICHOLS

her favorite drinks in the shop are the Lotus energy drinks in any of the tropical flavors.

The shop doesn’t just stop at drinks. Along with their breakfast menu, they offer a rotating list of baked goods, including cheesecake cookies, energy bites, cinnamon rolls, and more. I myself brought Biscoff cookies, mini cakes, a cheesecake cookie, and a couple of Scotcheroos back to the shop for the linemen. These treats were devoured in about five minutes. I can’t think of a better review than that.

ometimes you need a place for conversation, connection, community, and a great cup of coffee. Let us introduce you to Rustic Roast, Pennville’s newest premier coffee shop. Owner Brinley Byler opened the shop just a few short months ago and hasn’t stopped moving since. Rustic Roast is what you might think of as a family affair. Byler’s dad, Rueben, and his company, Extreme Builders, helped her get the shop in tip-top shape before she opened her doors. Her sister, Dakota, and close family friend, Katrina, work at the shop. When you think of coffee shops, you may have preconceived ideas about the type of beverages you can order, but let Rustic Roast change your mind about that. Of course, you can get traditional coffee and coffee beverages made with locally sourced beans. However, Rustic Roast also offers a large assortment of specialty drinks. You can order lemonade, smoothies, and even hot chocolate. Byler’s face lit up when she told me about her Lotus energy drinks. These plant-based drinks offer options to suit different health needs and come in a slew of delicious flavors. Byler said

6 SEPTEMBER 2026

The future is looking warm and bright for this small coffee shop. They have purchased a location very nearby (the empty carwash just down the road) and hope to expand there soon. This will offer them the potential for a drive-thru and more table space. Byler’s main hope for the shop is that it has a warm, welcoming, cozy, and rustic feel. She was inspired by a faith-based shop she once saw in Kentucky and felt that, when she had her own place, she “knew I wanted to have people come in and feel welcomed.” After seeing the shop in person, I say come for the coffee and stay for the comfort and community. You can keep up with Rustic Roast on Facebook and Instagram, or you can order online at rusticroastpennville.com.

JAY COUNTY REMC CO-OP NEWS GRAPHIC COURTESY OF NRECA

SEPTEMBER 2026 7

JAY COUNTY REMC CO-OP NEWS

Your chance to win

Follow these simple steps for your chance to win a bill credit for $50 in electricity. CLIP THE COUPON BELOW. Complete and return the form to the office with your monthly payment by the bill due date in order to be entered or you can email your entry to marketing@jayremc.com. JULY WINNER: Allen B. of Portland

NAME: ACCOUNT NO.: PHONE NO.:

8 SEPTEMBER 2026

REMC rates and rebates RATES RESIDENTIAL AND FARM SERVICE Service charge: $32 per month Kilowatt-hour (kWh) charge: • 0-500 kWh: $.0371/kWh • 501-1,500 kWh: $.0191/kWh • Over 1,500 kWh: $.0131/kWh Power Cost Adjustment: $.092/kWh Outdoor lights: • 50-watt LED: $8.75 per month • 400-watt MV: $13 per month REBATES ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS 30 GALLONS OR LARGER • Replacement of an existing electric water heater: $200 • Gas to electric replacement: $200 • New construction water heater: $200 Visit jayremc.com for guidelines and restrictions. Additional rebates can be found at powermoves.com.

arm equipment and machinery

lines can sag, especially in hot

can enhance safety by providing an

encountering power lines is

weather. Maintain a minimum

extra set of eyes.

a leading cause of injury among

clearance of 10 feet from all power

farmers. As harvest season

lines and poles.

approaches in Indiana, farmers and farm crews are busy moving equipment on roads and to and from fields. This increased activity raises the risk of accidents, warns Chris Gearld, director of safety, training and workforce development at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Combines and grain augers are large pieces of equipment,” said Gearld. “People assume everything will fit under the power lines, but that isn’t always the case. The biggest cause of electrocutions on farms is equipment accidentally touching power lines.” TO PREVENT DANGEROUS INCIDENTS, INDIANA’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFER THE FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES:

Observe your surroundings. Always check above and around before moving or raising equipment. Remember, power

Plan your route. Stay informed about where power lines and

Never try to raise power lines to allow tall equipment to pass through. Even non-metallic objects

power poles are on the property. If

like wood poles or branches can

for an alternative route.

conduct electricity.

there's any doubt the equipment will not fit under a power line, opt

Stay put in emergencies. If you’re

Measure the height of power lines and machinery. Know the distance

in equipment that touches power

between the ground and the

ground are energized. Stay in the

power lines, as well as between the

cab and call for help. Tell others to

equipment, to avoid contact with

stay away and do not let anyone

one another.

touch the equipment. In the rare

Be cautious around power poles. Striking a pole can cause it to break, dropping live wires onto your equipment.

Lower the equipment properly. Ensure that equipment such as grain augers and other portable equipment is fully lowered before transport.

Use a spotter. When navigating near power lines, having a spotter

lines, assume the equipment and

case of a fire and an emergency exit is necessary, jump clear without touching the ground and the equipment simultaneously, and land with your feet together. Then, shuffle with both feet together for at least 30 feet to avoid electrical shock. “Working the land has enough hazards in the work itself,” said Gearld. “With care and planning, moving to and from the fields shouldn’t be one of them.”

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2026 2026 9

INDIANA CONNECTION SAFETY

Farmers must consider power line safety during harvest season

INDIANA CONNECTION ENERGY

Beyond the books HOW TEENS CAN REDUCE ENERGY USE TO SAVE

s teens settle into the new academic year, they’re

also getting used to their afterschool routines: fall sports, homework, and possibly even part-time jobs. Regardless of when teenagers arrive home, there are steps they can take to minimize their electricity use and save money in the process.

OPEN CURTAINS FOR NATURAL LIGHT As teens get ready to do homework, they may instinctively turn on all the lights in the house. Yet energy can be saved by leaving lights off and opening curtains instead. The sun can often provide enough light naturally.

SHORTER SHOWERS

gaming systems can use a

When getting ready, teens should

surprising amount of electricity.

be mindful of their shower time.

Teens can save energy (and

Long, hot showers can drain the

money) by turning off these

water heater, minimizing hot

devices. If they must be on,

water for other tasks. If the water

selecting a power-saving mode

heater is electric, the cost can

can reduce their energy use.

even save money by lowering

RECHARGE DEVICES OVERNIGHT

electric co-op for advice on

Mobile phones, iPads, and other

your home’s energy efficiency.

quickly add up, especially if a co-op offers time-of-use rates and the hot shower is during times when the cost is most expensive.

devices with rechargeable batteries

TURN GAMING SYSTEMS AND COMPUTERS OFF

can be charged overnight so they

Some people habitually leave

is the most efficient use of the

devices on all day. The standby

energy grid: electricity demand

modes for computers and

on the grid peaks in the afternoon

10 SEPTEMBER 2026

are ready the next morning. This

and evening, and if you have time-of-use rates, every little watt used off-peak can help. By taking simple steps, teens can benefit the environment and their energy use. Contact your steps you can take to improve

Joe Spear Energy Solutions Coordinator Carroll White REMC

INDIANA CONNECTION INDIANA EATS

Cranberries Family Restaurant serves global comfort food with a hometown feel BY STACEY MCARTHUR

Creating tasty food and serving

brother-in-law establish

it runs in Besim Saliji’s blood.

Benjamin’s Family Restaurant

As a child, he hung out at his

of Covington. His cousin also

grandfather’s bakery in Croatia,

operates American Table Family

close to Macedonia. Around

Dining in Washington.

2000, he and his family moved to Indiana, where some of his siblings had already settled. He’s worked long hours at family restaurants since then.

HOME COOKIN’ Saliji enjoys cooking breakfast and serving it all day. Cranberries offers cooked-from-scratch specialty omelets, fresh hash browns, and

He decided to ditch the long

thick-cut bacon for breakfast. Most

hours but not the restaurant

ingredients are also locally sourced.

work he loved. That’s why he and his wife opened Cranberries Family Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch establishment in Jasper, Indiana. “They liked the small-town vibe, community, and the way people live here,” said Tarynn Reeves, manager, who has worked since the day they opened three years ago.

A FAMILY AFFAIR Restaurants run deep in the family. Saliji’s wife, Zemi, helps operate Cranberries. His cousin, daughter, and son also work there. Everyone knows every job at the restaurant. And Saliji has more than 25 years of culinary experience working in many

“Our food is consistent,” said Reeves. “When you come in, you know what kind of food you will get and what kind of service you will get. We have the same cooks every day, so that everything will taste the same. The customers recognize the staff. It’s like eating at home.” Patrons can order worldly items, such as a Monte Cristo that features two pieces of French Toast with Swiss cheese and grilled ham, along with hash browns, fruit, or oats. There’s also a German skillet that includes corned beef hash, American fries, Swiss cheese, two eggs,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CRANBERRIES FAMILY RESTAURANT

and toast, as well as many Greek dishes. Additionally, they serve sandwiches, wraps, salads, Walleye and baby beef liver and onions. “Besim wanted to offer hometown people the food they loved but also entice them with dishes that aren’t served at other places,” said Reeves. Another way the restaurant shows its appreciation for its customers is by serving generous portions, offering children’s and senior menus, and keeping prices reasonable. “We value our customers, and we never want them to feel like we are running their pockets,” added Reeves.

restaurants and helping his family establish their own restaurants. Saliji helped found Benjamin’s Family Restaurant in Rossville before the company moved to Rockville. About 10 years later, he moved to Covington

CRANBERRIES FAMILY RESTAURANT 198 Third Ave., Jasper, IN 47546 812-556-0237 cranberriesfamilyrestaurant.com Open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended hours on Fridays.

and helped his sister and SEPTEMBER 2026 11

INDIANA CONNECTION CITY SPOTLIGHT

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Evansville BY NICOLE THOMAS

Known as the “River City,” Evansville

from across the country visit during

2019, the Nut Club has also hosted

is Indiana’s third most populous city.

the library’s annual “Midnight

an annual half-pot drawing during

It’s home to Angel Mounds State

Madness” week in June, when it

the festival. The 2022 drawing set

Historic Site, one of the country’s

remains open until midnight for

a record, reaching $1.64 million.

best-preserved Native American

family history research. The library

sites, as well as Bosse Field, one of

is also said to house the “Grey Lady,”

the oldest ballparks in the country.

the ghost of Louise Carpenter, the

THE CITY’S WILD SIDE As one of Indiana’s first zoos, the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden opened in 1928 with just two lion cubs, antelope, and an elephant. Today, the 45-acre zoo in Evansville homes more than 700 animals and welcomes more than 205,000 visitors each year. The zoo was built around Lake Victoria, where visitors can either walk along it or rent paddle boats to spot birds, turtles, and fish. Open 365 days a year, visitors can also discover exhibits featuring wildlife from

daughter of its founder, Willard Carpenter. After Willard’s death, the library was donated according to his will, but Louise disputed the decision and claimed ownership. She ultimately lost her court case, and local lore says her spirit resides

have smelled her perfume. Since the late 1990s, visitors have searched library’s ghost cams and during its annual October Ghost Tours.

Evansville’s largest street festival, the West Side Nut Club’s Fall

genealogical archives. Researchers

PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI SR

12 SEPTEMBER 2026

last county in the August issue. For the rest of the year, we will feature Indiana’s major cities.

CITY FACTS

for the “Grey Lady” through the

the zoo’s botanic garden.

Evansville known for its extensive

2019, and finally covered the

1937, and others have claimed to

and penguins, or stroll through

Gothic Revival-style library in

Indiana’s counties since January

reported seeing the “Grey Lady” in

A NUTTY TRADITION

The Willard Public Library is a

We have been highlighting

in the building. A custodian first

around the world, feed giraffes

GENEALOGY AND GHOST STORIES

Editor’s note

Festival, takes place each year during the first week of October along Franklin Street. Drawing nearly 200,000 visitors, the event features a parade, fair rides, live music, and 137 food booths hosted by nonprofit organizations. Since

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WEST SIDE NUT CLUB

FOUNDED: 1812 NAMED FOR: Colonel Robert Morgan Evans, an officer in the War of 1812 POPULATION: 117,298

INDIANA CONNECTION EVENTS

EVENT GUIDE YOUR GUIDE TO FESTIVALS AND FUN ACROSS INDIANA

HOLLAND FESTIVAL Sept. 18-19 | Holland

visitduboiscounty.com/events The Holland Festival is “a Dutch touch” in a

German town. The festival offers food booths, a kids’ zone and activities, a beer garden, live music, a wiener dog race, an ice cream eating contest, a barbeque contest, a craft show, and

family-friendly activities staged around

Holland’s historic windmill.

COUNTY ANTIQUE 2 FRANKLIN MACHINERY SHOW Sept. 24-27 | Brookville fcamc.org

CORN SCHOOL

Oct. 6-10 | LaGrange

Celebrating its 31st year, the Franklin County

facebook.com/cornschoolfestival

Antique Machinery Show is one of Indiana’s

Corn School is one of the oldest street festivals in

largest antique machinery shows. The festival

Indiana and takes place every year in downtown

includes antique tractor pulls, horse pulls,

LaGrange. Enjoy a four-day celebration with

sawmill, steam engines, threshing, flea market,

carnival rides, games, talent shows, food vendors,

tractor games, food, and more. Oliver Tractors

parades, and the traditional vegetable awards.

and Equipment, as well as Michigan Built Engines, will be featured.

FESTIVAL 3 LOTUS Oct. 1-4 | Bloomington

DAY DOWNTOWN 5 DOG Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Evansville downtownevansville.com/events Bring your pups and join us for the seventh

lotusfest.org

annual Dog Day Downtown, presented by

Lotus World Music & Arts Festival showcases

German American Bank. Enjoy free activities

the exceptional talent of performing artists and

like an agility course, a foam party, a bone

musicians from around the globe. Twenty artists

bar, a pup cup station, nail trimming, and

will perform over four days and multiple venues.

more. Representatives from local animal

With a sense of discovery, exploration, and

nonprofits will be in attendance. Local

celebration, people of all ages, and backgrounds

vendors will also be at the event selling dog-

come to Bloomington to experience Lotus.

related products, custom pet caricatures, and craft beers from Barker Brewhouse.

SEPTEMBER 2026 13

INDIANA CONNECTION FOOD

COZY APPLE DESSERTS PERFECT FOR FALL GATHERINGS

14 SEPTEMBER 2026

RECIPES PREPARED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY INDIANA CONNECTION STAFF.

INDIANA CONNECTION FOOD

Apple and nut bread pudding BARBARA WOLF, AVILLA

16 slices day-old bread, torn into 1-inch pieces

21 oz can apple pie filling, slices cut in half

2 cups sugar 4 eggs

2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

3 cups milk

1 cup golden raisins

2 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream, optional

In a large bowl, combine the bread and sugar. Set aside. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla until foamy. Pour over bread and sugar; mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours. Stir in all remaining ingredients except whipped cream. Pour into a greased 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 45-50 minutes, or until firm. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream, if desired.

Crockpot apple butter MARTHA WISER-PARTIN, CORYDON

5 lbs tart apples

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Rhubarb apple pizza

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

JIM SHERRICK, VALPARAISO

Peel, core, and slice the apples. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to the crock pot. Stir until well mixed. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours, or on low for 8–10 hours, until the apples are soft and tender. keep formed liquid in the crock pot. Use an immersion blender in the crock pot with any liquid that has formed. Pulse until smooth or blend in a blender. Store in small jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze.

CRUST

TOPPING

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups rhubarb, chopped

1 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups apples, peeled and sliced thin

2 Tbsp shortening

1 package strawberry gelatin mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 egg beaten with 2 Tbsp milk

1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup margarine, melted

Mix together the crust ingredients. Pat the mixture into the bottom and sides of a round pizza pan or 9-inch-by-13-inch cake pan. Place the rhubarb and apples over the crust. Sprinkle strawberry gelatin mix on top. In a bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and melted margarine, and pour over the pizza. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes. SEPTEMBER 2026 15

Location Location Location The Richmond mobile showroom will be visiting Menards locations. Find one near you! DATE

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

8:00am - 12:00pm 09/16/26

1300 US Hwy 41

Schererville

Indiana

46375

09/21/26

5260 South Franklin

Michigan City

Indiana

46360

09/22/26

1233 165th Street

Hammond

Indiana

46320

Valparaiso

Indiana

46383

9:00am - 3:30pm 09/18/26

351 Silhavy Road

1:00pm - 5:00pm 09/16/26

6300 Mississippi Street

Merrillville

Indiana

46410

09/21/26

6220 US Route 6

Portage

Indiana

46368

09/22/26

6050 West Ridge Road

Gary

Indiana

46408

From high‑efficiency electric models to advanced heat pump water heaters, Richmond helps lower energy use and reduce monthly bills while meeting all of your hot water demands. Want to learn more about our water heating technologies and how to save money on monthly bills? Learn how these products work with live demonstrations of Tankless Gas and Heat Pump Water Heaters. Stop by a Menards store near you and check out our mobile showroom. AVAILABLE AT

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

From the GROUND UP HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

BY STEPHANIE BERNABA

is run by Main Street Corydon

and managed by Karen York,

Mulberry Street in Corydon.

The market runs every Friday

very Friday evening from May through October, something

magical happens at 124 South Farmers, bakers, beekeepers, and artisan food makers set up booths at the Corydon Farmers Market, and the community shows up to shop, eat, and connect. People linger over lavender lemonades and wood-fired pizzas. Regulars line up early for cultfavorite cookies. Families make

who also serves as president of the Main Street Corydon Board.

from 4 to 7 p.m. and features 27 vendor booths, all of which are filled this season, with a waiting list for overflow spots. Vendors range from produce growers and meat farmers to bakers, beekeepers, mushroom growers, and artisan crafters.

it a Friday night tradition.

What makes the Corydon market

Harrison County’s local food scene

sale, but the spirit in which it

has quietly become one of the most vibrant in southern Indiana. Growers, bakers, and makers built this community on a shared belief that people deserve to know

stand out is not just what is for operates. Vendors visit each other’s booths, buy from one another, and incorporate each other’s products into their own.

the hands that grew their food.

“The high tide raises all boats,” York

A MARKET THAT GROWS COMMUNITY

each other’s booths. They go and

The Corydon Farmers Market has been a cornerstone of the local food scene since 2015, when it was established through a Stellar Grant as part of an effort to revitalize downtown Corydon. Now in its 11th season, the market

said. “I love that our vendors visit buy the honey and use it in their cookies. They support each other,

Angela de Krieger, owner of Singing Trees Keep (Photo courtesy of de Krieger)

pad to open brick-and-mortar storefronts in downtown Corydon. “It allows the vendors an opportunity to see what is popular, what is in demand, what will sell,” York said. “It’s an incubator for businesses downtown.” The market is free to the public, with vendor fees kept accessible. Permanent vendors pay $150 for the season, while temporary vendors pay $25 per event up to a $150 cap. The market features two covered pavilions on a concrete slab, with electricity for vendors and on-site restrooms.

SINGING TREES KEEP: THE HEART OF THE HOMESTEAD Angela de Krieger and her husband, Sang, run a teaching

which makes me want to cry.”

homestead in Harrison County

Three vendors — Abruzzo’s Italian

small-batch fermentation studio,

Foods and Confections, Ageless Agape, and Precious Lather — have used the market as a launching

that includes a microbakery, a pasture-raised poultry, and workshops to help neighbors reconnect with their food supply. SEPTEMBER 2026 17

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

“Our mission is to produce holistically managed livestock and products to improve food security for ourselves and the surrounding communities,” de Krieger said. De Krieger began making kimchi in 2014 after her family moved from Los Angeles to Indiana. Her husband was adopted from South Korea as a child and could not find kimchi locally once the family settled in Indiana. What started as a gift for him became a passion, and by 2019, she was selling fermented foods at the Corydon Farmers Market. She later launched a sourdough microbakery, inspired by her efforts to bake healthier bread for her son’s health. At her booth, shoppers find fermented vegetables including pineapple-ginger sauerkraut, kimchi asparagus, fermented carrots, and curtido, a Latin American-style ferment, alongside sourdough loaves, muffins, scones, and pancake mixes. Her brown butter chocolate chip cookies have such a following that customers line up 20 minutes before the market opens to secure a bag. Singing Trees Keep also raises and sells pasture-raised chickens, about 180 last year, and offers sourdough baking workshops and chicken processing classes.

GYPSY RAIN ORGANICS: THIRD-GENERATION ROOTS AND A MODERN VISION Tad Streepey grew up next door to the farm he now runs. His grandmother farmed row crops in Harrison County, his

18 SEPTEMBER 2026

parents were homesteaders, and he spent childhood summers picking tomatoes and milking goats. He created Gypsy Rain Organics as an LLC in 2020. “From the time we got the farm, I always wanted to do something with it,” Streepey said, “and then COVID hit, and I thought, no better time than now.”

program (a CSA is a direct arrangement where you buy a share of a local farm’s harvest upfront), sells at the Corydon Farmers Market every Friday, supplies vegetables to local restaurants, hosts farm visits, and offers growing classes. Streepey’s

Gypsy Rain Organics now

offerings include four colors of

runs a Community Supported

beets, uncommon greens, and

Agriculture (CSA) subscription

microgreens grown year-round

“If we didn’t have beekeepers, I

areas in the United States for pests,”

think there’d be hardly any bees

Streepey said. His approach relies

left,” Oliver said. “And it’s very

on neem oil, beneficial nematodes,

rewarding when people tell me

soil inoculation, caterpillar

how much they enjoy the honey.”

tunnels, and bug netting, all without synthetic chemicals. This year, Streepey said, is intentionally a “catch our breath” year, a chance to stabilize before scaling up again. Sourdough bread and locally sourced honey are also available through the

over months of experimentation

an industrial water treatment engineer, and beekeeping has

and launch a winter CSA. Organic farming here, Streepey explained, is not without challenges.

a custom 11-ingredient blend of psyllium husk powder, developed on her family’s 28-acre farm. “With gluten-free baking, it has to be a blend,” Zenor explained. “It’s a more involved process than baking regular sourdough, but to get the consistency,

become his primary focus.

you have to have the mix.”

Oliver and his wife, Carol, run

Her lineup includes artisan

Bee Boy Honey together, selling at the market every Friday. Their line has expanded beyond raw honey to include creamed honey, hot honey, honey sticks, honeyspiced pecans, beeswax soaps, lip balms, hand cream, deodorant,

Streepey plans to add two more

after discovering her own gluten

Scott Oliver started keeping bees

2025 from a 34-year career as

producing through winter, and

families across Harrison County

whole-grain flours, starches, and

around Corydon. He retired in

keeps collards, kale, and spinach

gluten-free sourdough for

BEE BOY HONEY: SWEET WORK, 50 HIVES STRONG

than 50 hives across six locations

under lights. A new hoop house

Seeds Bakery & Blooms, bakes

sensitivity. Her signature loaves use

years later, he manages more

de Krieger and Main Street Corydon)

Sharon Zenor, owner of Sowing

Gypsy Rain Organics CSA.

in 2010 with two hives. Sixteen

Clockwise from top left: Angela de Krieger teaches a class at Backroads Market in Corydon.; Gypsy Rain Organics offers a CSA program along with their farmers market sales.; Bee Boy Honey manages over 50 hives in six locations around Corydon.; The Corydon Farmers Market offers 27 vendor booths.; Farmers Market vendors range from produce growers and meat farmers to bakers, beekeepers, and artisan crafters. (Photos courtesy of Angela

SOWING SEEDS BAKERY & BLOOMS: GLUTEN-FREE MADE WITH CARE

sourdough loaves, gluten-free cinnamon rolls, cookies, pizza crusts, and dinner rolls, with vegan and dairy-free options in development. Orders are accepted through HotPlate.com every other week, and Zenor

candles, and propolis extract.

delivers personally along a route

His honey-spiced pecans started

to New Albany and Louisville,

as an afterthought and now sell out every week in four-pound batches. Because his four-acre property can support only about 15 hives, Oliver has built a network of host properties, all current or former market vendors, providing

“Talk to any organic farmer that

equipment and labor in exchange

has grown in this area, and they

for 10% of his annual harvest.

stretching from Harrison County Kentucky. Customers can also pick up orders year-round at Backroads Market in Corydon. The bakery grew entirely by word of mouth after Angela de Krieger tried a loaf and started passing the name to friends. The two now barter regularly, trading bread for pasture-raised chickens.

SEPTEMBER 2026 19

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

will tell you this is one of the worst

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

K&B LIBERTY FARMS: REGENERATIVE, PASTURERAISED, AND MISSION-DRIVEN Kris and Brittney Hobt bring a unique story to the county’s food scene. Both are U.S. Army veterans who continue to serve

producers across Indiana. When

applied to commercial food

regulatory guidelines threatened

establishments, and state and

to restrict what home-based

local health authorities are

vendors could legally sell, the two

barred from imposing rules or

built a grassroots coalition and

licensing requirements beyond

took their case to Indianapolis.

those required by federal law.

their community while running

De Krieger founded an online

a regenerative farm and raising a

group, Hoosiers for Food

family. They joined the Corydon

Freedom, that grew to more than

Farmers Market in 2023 and

3,000 members statewide and

have quickly become a valued

connected with the Institute for

part of the vendor community.

Justice and Leah Wilson, president

The farm specializes in pasture-

of Stanford Health Freedom.

raised poultry and beef raised

Together, they rallied support

using regenerative practices. K&B

for House Bill 1424, the Farm

Liberty hosts Bee Boy Honey

and Homestead Food Sales

hives on its property and carries

Act, authored by Rep. Hunter

products from Ageless Agape,

Smith and co-authored by Reps.

a local toxin-free cosmetics

Robert Morris, Matt Lehman,

company whose formulations use

and Robb Greene. The bill was

tallow sourced from K&B’s cattle.